# NTSB CHI83LA374: Cessna 150, N3400V, Springfield, IL, August 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1983, 19:41 local (23:41 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, IL
- Coordinates: 39.849792, -89.649749 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8498&lon=-89.6497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA374
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA374

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD AND NOSED DOWN AFTER THE ENGINE STOPPED DURING FLT. DURING PRE-FLT THE PILOT HAD LOOKED IN THE TANKS AND MEASURED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL WITH THE TIE CAP CHAIN. HE THOUGHT HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL FOR THE FLT EVEN THOUGH THE GAUGES INSIDE THE ACFT REGISTERED ALMOST EMPTY. THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL 5 MILES FROM THE ARPT DURING THE RETURN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3400V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3400V), registered now, S/N 15076490, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15076490
- Airframe hours: 2213
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sangamon Valley Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1818
- Airport: SP1, Capital, runway 12, 5,298 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 56 total, 56 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPI

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830809042409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830809042409A), Aug 9, 1983: Cessna 150, Springfield, IL, Substantial damage. Misjudged fuel supply prior to takeoff. Ran out of fuel returning to airport. Crash landed in a cornfield.

## Other investigations on N3400V (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB IAD76FLT08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD76FLT08), Apr 11, 1976: Cessna 150 (N3400V), Covington, TN, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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